Civil Rights and the Unborn

Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy to America. On January 22, we remember the anniversary of two infamous U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton.

Abortion is the number one civil rights issue in America. After all it denies unborn human beings their most fundamental right - their right to life. Because African Americans have been targeted by Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry, abortion has impacted the African American community in disproportionate numbers - in fact with genocidal results. (e.g. 61.5% of PP’s abortion clinics are located in predominately Black communities - see www.toomanyaborted.com and www.maafa21.com)

In 1977, four years after Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton legalized abortion, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson spoke prophetically when he asked two questions, 

“What happens to the mind of a person, and the moral fabric of a nation, that accepts the aborting of the life of a baby without a pang of conscience? What kind of a person, and what kind of a society will we have 20 years hence if life can be taken so casually.”

The answer to those questions have emerged over the last thirty nine years, and regrettably it has not not turned out as then pro-life advocate Jesse Jackson would have envisioned. Over fifty million American unborn children have lost their lives to abortion, 16 million of them African American.

Andrew Bair, in his article, “What Would Martin Luther King, Jr. Have Thought of Abortion?” (http://www.lifenews.com/2012/01/16/what-would-martin-luther-king-jr-have-thought-of-abortion/) points out that, 

"Recently released data from the New York City Department of Health shows the Big Apple hitting a 40% abortion rate. As if that number wasn’t appalling enough, when the data is broken down all racial lines, around 60% percent of New York City’s abortions are done on black women. In other words, 1,448 African American babies are aborted for every 1,000 born. Among black teens in New York City, that number jumps to a staggering 72% abortion rate or 2,360 abortions for every 1,000 babies born...in Pennsylvania, the Department of Health has reported that in the city of Philadelphia nearly half of all black babies are aborted. Center for Disease Control data shows that since Roe vs. Wade (1973) abortion has been the leading cause of death among African Americans. More African Americans have lost their lives to abortion than to heart disease, cancer, accidents, violent crimes or AIDS- combined."   

There is no greater risk to the future of the African American community than the death of their unborn through abortion. As the Rev. Dr. Clenard H. Childress, Jr. (www.blackgenocide.com) has written,

“The most dangerous place for an African American to be is in the womb of their African American mother.” 

Because of abortion, death now outpaces life in America’s Black population. Black America is the only minority declining in number.

Why are the vast majority of Black politicians and clergy remaining silent in light of this genocide? Why is there such great support in the Black community for politicians who support state sanctioned killing of the unborn and the funding of Planned Parenthood with federal tax dollars?  

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said,

“In the end we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

The Scriptures speak to us regarding our responsibility to rescue the unborn and the consequence if we neglect to do so:

“If you fail under pressure, your strength is not very great.
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death;
Don’t stand back and let them die.
Don’t try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it.
For God knows all hearts, and he sees you.
He keeps watch over your soul, and he knows you knew!
And he will judge all people according to what they have done.”

Proverbs 24:10-12 NLT (emphasis mine)

Over fifty percent of women who have an abortion feel they have no alternative. This is a complex issue that demands a practical and compassionate response by the Church.

Rev. Walter Hoye II, (www.issues4life.org) spent over two weeks in jail for sharing the Gospel in front of an Oakland CA abortion clinic. His words encapsulate the urgent need to respond to the threat of Black Genocide,

“I can’t quit, my people are dying.                                                                                                

Ending abortion is a matter of survival now.   

Our future depends on meeting the needs of women and children now.”

In October of 2008, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Herb Lusk II, African American Pastor of Greater Exodus Baptist Church in Philadelphia, address the annual CareNet conference. Just days before giving the address, under his leadership, Greater Exodus opened a pregnancy resource center in their abortion clinic ridden neighborhood. I will never forget his words,

“If you don’t do anything about the horrors of abortion you’re not part of the solution, which means that you’re part of the problem...as long as a baby is in danger we’re in war. As long as the life of one infant is threatened, the war rages on.”

German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was hung naked with a piano wire in a Nazi concentration camp for his opposition to the holocaust, wrote these haunting words,

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

Pastor Walter Hoye, comments,

“Could it possibly be, that Dietrich Bonhoeffer is right and out silence in the face of evil betrays our collusion, complicity or tacit consent with the forces of evil?”

That is the question each of us must answer - either now - or later.

Rev. Jim McGarvey is head of Church For Life through which he is serves the Church in its response to America’s abortion crisis as it: 

communicates the message of the sanctity of human life; 

ministers healing and restoration to the post-abortive; 

and provides practical and compassionate help to those at risk for abortion.

For the last four years his ministry focus has been in the African American community,  alerting clergy of Black Genocide and seeking to assist the Church in its response to this life threatening epidemic.

He is available as a speaker and consultant. 

Contact him at 954-235-3482 or at parson02@bellsouth.net

   

MLK and Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

In 1963, Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the CONSCIENCE of the state. It must be the GUIDE and the CRITIC of the state, and never its TOOL. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.” 

Next Sunday, Januart 22, is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. If he were alive, I wonder what Dr. King would be preparing to say next Sunday in light of the fact that death outpaces life in the African American community as a result of state sanctioned abortion? 

Over 16 million black unborn babies have been killed by abortion since 1973. Black babies are being aborted at a rate of over 1,200 a day against the back drop of a deafening silence from Black clergy and political leaders. African Americans are being targeted by Planned Parenthood (PP), the nations largest abortion provider, and the abortion industry. Most Black politicians support the 350+ million dollar a year federal tax dollar give away to PP. The result: Black women represent 6% of the population but are having 30% of all abortions. I would think African American pastors would be incensed and speaking out on behalf of the millions of victims of this holocaust. I think Dr. King would be.

Pastor, Speak Up For Life - It’s Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

Next Sunday, January 22, is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Will you be giving your congregation a chance to hear what God's Word says about America's greatest moral evil, the murder of over 3,000 unborn human beings every day by state sanctioned abortion?

According to Lutheran pastor Dr. Lawrence White, 

“The great reformer Martin Luther once declared that the preacher who does not rebuke the sins of the rulers through God’s Word spoken publicly, boldly and honestly, strengthens the sins of the tyrants, and becomes a partaker in them, and bears responsibility for them.” (The Sin of Silence)

Was the Apostle Paul a “Seeker Sensitive” Preacher?

Was Paul a "seeker sensitive" preacher? You decide. In Iconium, Paul went to the Jewish synagogue "...and preached with such power that at great number of both Jews and Gentiles became believers. Some of the Jews, however, spurned God's message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them...Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycoania...And there they preached the Good News." (Acts 14:1-7 NLT)

Note Paul and Barnabas’ strategy: they entered the synagogue, not always friendly to the gospel, but Paul’s custom (see Acts 17:1-7), evidently not concerned about preaching to a “seeker sensitive" audience. After all Paul “was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16) and was convinced that gospel was “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). Their ministry was fruitful and divisive - a pattern you find in the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles.

Note the results: many were converted but their ministry incited great opposition - in other words their proclamation of the Gospel "divided" the audience. Evidently no concern for popularity, acceptance or prestige on their part. Even though there was organized opposition to their ministry, they “stayed there a long time,” boldly preaching a message of grace and God’s power confirmed their message. They did not leave Iconium until they learned of a death threat against them. If you think things got better for Paul, read Acts 14:19 where in Lystra, his next destination, Paul was stoned and left for dead by those offended by his message.

Where is the similarity with today’s “seeker sensitive” movement? 

Paul’s Preaching - He Was On To Something I’d Like to See More of Today

I wonder what would happen in our churches and nation, for that matter, if we preachers  modeled the Apostle Paul's preaching?

"...I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness - timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:2-5 NLT)

His methodology seemed to be driven by his understanding of the nature of the Gospel,

"...when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:23-24 NLT) 

Right up front, Paul conceded that there would be push back from his audience. He knew that some wouldn’t just ignore the message, they would be offended by it, (his preaching caused enough riots to warrant that assumption) and others would write him off as a fool.

That didn’t lead Paul to adjust the message or the delivery. It didn’t prompt him to rely on gimmicks or other stage events in order to create or maintain an audience or following. No need for smooth public relations or media hype in developing a mega ministry. He felt no need for personal recognition, prominence, prestige or power.

He evidently did not measure his success by how popular he was in the community to which he brought the gospel. He didn’t measure success by how many red carpets met his arrival.  

“In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.” (2 Corinthians 6:4-5 NLT)

On the contrary, success was measured by his faithfulness not his acceptance.

“We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.” (2 Corinthians 6:6-8 NLT)

His ministry model stands in stark contrast to the boastful pride of America’s worldly and commercially driven ministry empires and personality cults promoting personal success, materialism and prosperity.

“We are ignored even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT)

Paul’s secret? His acknowledgment that ministry he was not about him but about the glory of God.

“We now have this light [the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ] shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

Paul’s example continues to fascinate me in its stark contrast to how many preachers play church today. He was on to something I’d like to see more of today. 

What's Missing In Our Preaching?

I read Acts chapter nine this morning. The Apostle Paul had an encounter with Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus, is filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately begins to preach the Gospel proving Jesus was the Messiah. He fled Damascus to escape a murder plot. He goes to Jerusalem and boldly preaches Christ there, debating the Greek speaking Jews. He was sent home to Tarsus to escape a murder plot. I wonder what this says about our preaching. Too watered down - sensitive - or just not powerful and convicting? Reminds me of Luke's account (Luke 4) of Jesus' first sermon given in his home town of Nazareth after his 40 day fast. Jesus "returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit," where he preaches in the synagogue at Nazareth. His message infuriated them so much that they mobbed him and tried to throw him over a cliff. Makes you wonder what's missing in today's preaching?

Choosing A Presidential Candidate

Human life is the greatest resource of any nation. Every day in America the lives of over 3,000 unborn human beings are lost through state sanctioned abortion. The blood of 53 million unborn babies murdered since 1973 has polluted the land of the our nation. God will not turn a blind eye to this bloodshed. He will not let the shedding of innocent blood go unpunished. We think otherwise at our own peril. 

The brutality of Hitler's National Socialism, the Communism of Stalin and Mao Tse-Tung, and the totalitarianism of many other dictators have been characterized by a similar calloused disregard for human life. Check out history. No civilization/nation that has perpetrated or permitted the killing of its young has survived. You can only read about them in history books.

The sacrifice of unborn children on the altar of convenience is not only the moral issue of the day, it is the most critical issue facing our nation as we approach the next presidential election.

The transcendent truth of our Judeo-Christian heritage which has guided this nation for over 200 years, has been been marginalized in favor of moral relativism which now drives many public policy decisions. As a result the state has relinquished its constitutional duty to protect the unborn. Life in the womb has become expendable when it interferes with the interests of those with the power to terminate it. 

America needs a president who understands that the sanctity of human life is the first right from which every other right proceeds, as set forth in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Our founding fathers recognized that the right to life was preeminent. They recognized that it was an “unalienable” right “endowed” by our Creator, not a right that could be given or rescinded by the state. 

America disregards this truth at the risk of its very existence. Our failing economy could very well be an expression of God’s mercy calling us back to the truth upon which, God in his Providence, allowed this nation to be founded. 

I am looking for a presidential candidate willing to embrace the transcendent truths held by our Founding Fathers and committed to develop public policy consistent with those values.